Ever since I was the treasurer for the Canadian Field (2008–2014), I have seen first-hand the needs of the work of the Lord here in Canada. Sometimes there is a lack of offerings and an appeal is made to meet those needs. I have since studied deeper into the subject of money, tithes, and offerings, and every once in a while feel impressed to share some of the truths surrounding finances that are written about in the Spirit of Prophecy. It is always good to review these testimonies because money can be a very powerful tool for good or for evil.
Money is very interesting. Anciently, there was no money, but goods were traded, for example, sheep for grain. In the time of Abraham we see the use of money emerging when he purchased the Field of Machpelah. Today, it is mainly money and credit cards that are used in exchange for goods. Money is very necessary in modern-day society in order to exist comfortably. It is an absolute necessity, unless you choose to live on the streets and beg, which is quite difficult if you want to maintain health and cleanliness.
Sometimes people do not earn enough for what they would consider a comfortable living, and thus they borrow to make up the lack of means. Individual debt is reaching astronomical heights as it is often the case that people choose to live above their means. They want a luxurious life, and their salary, is not sufficient for their desires. Thus they borrow to make up the difference.
Some people are very poor, not of their own choosing, and cannot afford healthy food or good clothing and do not have the ability to borrow. Some are careful with their finances and earn just enough to live a comfortable life, with very little excess. But yet their needs are met. They are satisfied. Then there are others who earn much more than they require to live comfortable lives. They have excess. The question is—what to do with this excess? Unfortunately, many with spend it lavishly on themselves only or hoard it.
Yet all, rich and poor, are required to give—at least their tithes and offerings. Some give of their penury as the widow who gave her last two mites. Some give a fair amount, while some wealthy, who do give generously, still have plenty for themselves, as did the Jewish leaders in the days of Christ. They gave from their abundance and felt no lack. Although the wealthy give generously, a large portion is still spent on themselves for various reasons, from fashion, cars, houses, to expensive holidays. “He that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21. This is the key—“rich toward God.” We have a choice—to be rich towards ourselves, or rich towards God. We all know which category we are in.
The apostle Paul gave this counsel, “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:8. Not everyone on this earth is content with just food and clothing. There is a mad frenzy to earn as much as possible with some people working several jobs and sacrificing health just for a few more material goods to enjoy life with, while their health is deteriorating.
The apostle Paul also wrote that “the love of money is the root of all evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10. He did not say, “some evil,” but, “all evil.” Can we really say that all evil begins with the love of money? How many wars have been started because of greed? The want of territory, especially the natural resources (gold, diamonds, oil), in the various countries, that other countries want to get their hands on. There is so much corporate crime and fraud as people want more even if dishonest means must be used to obtain it. Can this danger come into the church? Yes, there can be a love of money on the part of members that they are unwilling to give more to the cause of God than they spend on their own luxuries. Just read about Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1–10.
“Our money has not been given us that we might honor and glorify ourselves. As faithful stewards we are to use it for the honor and glory of God. Some think that only a portion of their means is the Lord’s. When they have set apart a portion for religious and charitable purposes, they regard the remainder as their own, to be used as they see fit. But in this they mistake. All we possess is the Lord’s, and we are accountable to Him for the use we make of it.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 351
“THE HANDICAP OF RICHES”
In the human way of thinking, being poor can be a handicap, as there is always a lack. There is never enough for good food, good clothing, and work must be done for long hours. Some have two jobs just to meet the basic necessities of life. Forget the luxuries, the entertainments, fancy clothing, latest and greatest electronic devices, just food and clothing and a roof over their heads is what they are working for. Being poor, according to the ways of the world is a handicap, because it prohibits you from living and doing all you want in life because you lack the means. However, in the ways of God, it is the reverse. Riches can be a handicap as it was for the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16–22). He was willing to sacrifice his salvation for earthly wealth. This kept him out of favour with God.
“Very few realize the strength of their love for money until the test is brought to bear upon them. Many who profess to be Christ’s followers then show that they are unprepared for heaven. Their works testify that they love wealth more than their neighbor or their God. Like the rich young man, they inquire the way of life; but when it is pointed out and the cost estimated, and they see that the sacrifice of earthly riches is demanded, they decide that heaven costs too much. The greater the treasures laid up on the earth, the more difficult it is for the possessor to realize that they are not his own, but are lent him to be used to God’s glory.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 150
The sub-title before the above quote is, “The Handicap of Riches.” Are your riches a handicap for you as they were for this rich young ruler? Are they coming in the way of your salvation?
“The influence of the love of money over the human mind is almost paralyzing. Riches infatuate, and cause many who possess them to act as though they were bereft of reason. The more they have of this world, the more they desire. Their fears of coming to want increase with their riches. They have a disposition to hoard up means for the future. They are close and selfish, fearing that God will not provide for them. This class are indeed poor toward God. As their riches have accumulated, they have put their trust in them, and have lost faith in God and His promises.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 150
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36
Yet it is the poor man often who has the correct attitude as he knows first-hand what it feels like to be in need. “The faithful, trusting poor man becomes rich toward God by judiciously using the little he has in blessing others with his means. He feels that his neighbor has claims upon him that he cannot disregard and yet obey the command of God, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ He considers the salvation of his fellow men of greater importance that all the gold and silver the world contains.” –Ibid, p. 151
CAST YOUR BREAD UPON WATERS
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” Ecclesiastes 11:1. Imagine yourself throwing bread upon the water, feeding some fish or some ducks. Solomon completes the verse by saying, after many days you will find it again. Have you ever thrown bread into the water and found it again later on? It is pretty wet and soggy and quite unappealing. Would you be willing to eat that soggy bread?
However, Solomon goes on to say, “Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.” Ecclesiastes 11:2. In order to be prepared for some trouble, disaster, or impending doom, you will want to cast your bread upon the waters.
These verses are all about giving. If you have some bread, which means anything of value, whether it be money or possessions, you should learn to give some of it away. And you do not just give once or twice but seven, even eight times. Generosity is the key. And the reason for casting your bread on the waters is to let it go. Just toss it out, give it away, be generous, without worrying about where it is going.
Even if we are generous enough to give, some people still want to make sure they know everything about where it is going. When we give our tithes and offerings have you ever been tempted to think “Are they using my money wisely?” Or do we think the people deserve the gift? Is this a legitimate cause? Are they expressing enough thanks? For some, giving has so many strings attached that it is not really giving anymore in its truest sense. Solomon says, be generous and give as if you are throwing bread upon the waters. Then he adds, after you do this, watch for the blessings. He says, “after many days you will find it again.” This is a beautiful promise. When you give in the true spirit of giving it will come back to you.
CHRIST IS KNOCKING
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” Revelation 3:20. Here we read of Christ knocking at the door of your heart. Some people simply do not want to open the door, fearing what Christ may find inside. Is there something in your heart you do not wish Him to see? Will you answer His knock? If there is something that should not be there, He will gladly help you clean it out. Do not be embarrassed to let Him in. He already knows what is behind that door and simply wants your permission to enter.
“The heavenly Guest is standing at your door, while you are piling up obstructions to bar His entrance. Jesus is knocking through the prosperity He gives you. He loads you with blessings to test your fidelity, that they may flow out from you to others. Will you permit your selfishness to triumph? Will you squander God’s talents, and lose your soul through idolatrous love of the blessings He has given? –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 967
“Are there any who will prefer perishable, earthly treasure to the heavenly, immortal substance? Christ is making His last appeal to hearts. How importunate His entreaty, how reluctant He is to give you up to separation from His love and presence forever! Still is heard the step of Him who waiteth at your door; His voice is yet pleading for entrance; but there is a point beyond which His forbearance will not reach. Shall the words be written over the doomed doorway, . . . He is joined to his idol of earthly treasure: let him alone?” –The Review and Herald, November 2, 1886 (emphasis mine)
TESTED
“Be content with such things as ye have.” Hebrews 13:5. A testimony was written by Ellen G. White for a poor woman who loved the Lord very much, and very much desired to have more money that she could give greater contributions to the cause she loved.
“My attention was called to your desire to possess means. The sentiment of your heart was: ‘Oh, if I only had means, I would not squander it! I would set an example to those who are close and penurious. I would show them the great blessing there is to be received in doing good.’ Your soul abhorred covetousness. As you have seen those who possessed abundance of this world’s goods shut their hearts to the cry of the needy you have said: ‘God will visit them; He will reward them according to their works.’ As you have seen the wealthy walking in their pride, their hearts girt about with selfishness, as with iron bands, you have felt that they were poorer than yourself, although you were in want and suffering. When you have seen these purse-proud men bearing themselves loftily because money has power, you have felt pity for them, and in no case would you have been induced to change places with them. Yet you desired means that you might so use it as to be a rebuke to the covetous.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 277
“The Lord said to His angel who had hitherto ministered unto you: ‘I have proved her in poverty and affliction, and she has not separated herself from Me, nor rebelled against Me. I will now prove her with prosperity. I will reveal to her a page of the human heart with which she is unacquainted. I will show her that money is the most dangerous foe she has ever met. I will reveal to her the deceitfulness of riches; that they are a snare, even to those who feel that they are secure from selfishness, and proof against exaltation, extravagance, pride, and love of the praise of men.’
“I was then shown that a way was opened for you to improve your condition in life and at length to obtain the means which you had thought you would use with wisdom and to the glory of God. How anxiously did your ministering angel watch the new trial to see how you would stand the test. As means came into your hands, I saw you gradually and almost imperceptibly separating from God. The means entrusted to you were expended for your own convenience, to surround yourself with the good things of this life. I saw the angels looking upon you with yearning sadness, their faces half averted, loath to leave you. Yet their presence was not perceived by you, and your course was pursued without reference to your angel guard.” –Ibid, p. 278
The Lord knows, better than you do, your heart and what you would do with excess riches. Would you use them for yourself, or would you truly give to the poor and to the cause of God? Therefore, be content with what you have, and always pray for the Lord’s will to be done in your life. Not our will but His will.
TO WORK
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. The abuse of the welfare system in the western world and the government support aids in developing countries has created many idle and lazy people. “The custom of supporting men and women in idleness by private gifts or church money encourages them in sinful habits, and this course should be conscientiously avoided. Every man, woman, and child should be educated to do practical, useful work. All should learn some trade. It may be tentmaking, or it may be business in other lines; but all should be educated to use the members of their body to some purpose, and God is ready and willing to increase the adaptability of all who will educate themselves to industrious habits.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 912
Clearly, idleness is sin. We often associate this verse with poor people; however, this Bible verse is not only for the poorer classes of society. There are many idle, wealthy people. “If a man in good physical health has property, and has no need of entering into employment for his own support, he should labor to acquire means that he may advance the cause and work of God. He is to be ‘not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.’ God will bless all who will guard their influence in regard to others in this respect.” –Ibid, p. 912
GOD SCATTERS
“Multitudes who are prosperous in the world and who never stoop to the common forms of vice, are yet brought to destruction through the love of riches. Absorbed in their worldly treasures, they are insensible to the claims of God and the needs of their fellow men. Instead of regarding their wealth as a talent to be used for the glory of God and the uplifting of humanity, they look upon it as a means of indulging and glorifying themselves. They add house to house and land to land, they fill their homes with luxuries, while want stalks the streets, and all about them are human beings in misery and crime, in disease and death. Those who thus give their lives to self-serving are developing in themselves, not the attributes of God, but the attributes of Satan.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 256
All we have is a blessing from God and He can remove it any time as in the days of Haggai. “Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of Mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” Haggai 1:9
“Those who are selfishly withholding their means need not be surprised if God’s hand scatters. . . . God can scatter the means He has lent to His stewards, if they refuse to use it to His glory.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 661
“The Lord sometimes tests His people with prosperity in temporal things. . . . Some abuse the talents given them of God; they close their eyes that they may not see the necessities of His cause and turn away their ears that they may not hear His voice showing them their duty to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. . . . They forget their divine mission, and if they continue to follow the dictates of their selfish hearts, and expend precious time and means to gratify their pride, God will send reverses, and they will feel pinching want because of their ingratitude. He will entrust His talents to more faithful stewards, who will acknowledge His claims upon them.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 619
“There are many who urge that they cannot do more for God’s cause than they now do; but they do not give according to their ability. The Lord sometimes opens the eyes blinded by selfishness by simply reducing their income to the amount they are willing to give. Horses are found dead in the field or stable, houses or barns are destroyed by fire, or crops fail. In many cases God tests man with blessings, and if unfaithfulness is manifested in rendering to Him tithes and offerings, His blessing is withdrawn. . . . In view of the love and compassion of Christ, which brought Him from the royal courts to suffer self-denial, humiliation, and death, let each ask himself the question, ‘How much do I owe my Lord?’ and then let your grateful offerings be in accordance with your appreciation of the great gift of heaven in God’s dear Son.” –Ibid, p. 484 (emphasis mine)
Tithes are an obligation. We make a vow to give 10% of our income as a tithe when we are converted and then baptized. Offerings are a test of our love. The last sentence in the quote stated that our offerings will be in accordance with our appreciation of the great gift of heaven.
Yet when we put our money in the bank of heaven, God will bless us. “The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and charitable purposes amounted to fully one fourth of their income. So heavy a tax upon the resources of the people might be expected to reduce them to poverty; but, on the contrary, the faithful observance of these regulations was one of the conditions of their prosperity. On condition of their obedience God made them this promise: ‘I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field. . . . And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.’ Malachi 3:11.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 527
The poor are not exempted from giving. The Lord will always lead you to people who are more needy than you are. “Even though he may be poor, the youth who is industrious and economical can save a little for the cause of God.” –The Adventist Home, p. 382
EVERY PENNY
“In the use of every penny, it will be seen whether we love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 351
“When you are tempted to spend money for knickknacks, you should remember the self-denial and self-sacrifice that Christ endured to save fallen man.” –Ibid, p. 382–383. “The amount daily spent in needless things, with the thought, ‘It is only a nickel,’ ‘It is only a dime,’ seems very little; but multiply these littles by the days of the year, and as the years go by, the array of figures will seem almost incredible.” –Ibid, p. 384. “I wish I could impress on every mind the grievous sinfulness of wasting the Lord’s money on fancied wants. The expenditure of sums that look small may start a train of circumstances that will reach into eternity. When the judgment shall sit, and the books are opened, the losing side will be presented to your view—the good that you might have done with the accumulated mites and the larger sums that were used for wholly selfish purposes.” –Ibid, p. 383. If the Lord will call us into account for every penny spent, should we not also make a careful accounting of every penny we spend?
“But many show by their works that they dare not trust the bank of heaven. They choose to trust their means in the earth, rather than to send it before them to heaven. These have a great work to do to overcome covetousness and love of the world. Rich poor men, professing to serve God, are objects of pity. While they profess to know God, in works they deny Him. How great is the darkness of such! They profess faith in the truth, but their works do not correspond with their profession. The love of riches makes men selfish, exacting, and overbearing.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 151
“He who realizes that his money is a talent from God will use it economically, and will feel it a duty to save that he may give.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 352
May God helps us to think seriously how we use the talent of money that the Lord has entrusted us with, whether it be much or whether it be little. And if it be possible, find ways to increase this talent so as to be a greater blessing for the cause of God. Amen.
Wendy Eaton